Pass and Move Through the Gates is a simple passing drill suitable for most age groups. There are many variations which can be used to challenge players or add a competitive twist for additional fun!
Organization
- A quarter of the field.
- 6 to 8 pairs of cones placed around two feet apart and spread around the area. The cones act as gates and should be matching in color to help players visualize where to play.
- Players organized into pairs.
- One ball per pair.
Number of Players – any number of even players.
How To Play
Players pass the ball through one gate at a time. The two players position themself either side of a gate so that one player can send the ball through and the other player receives the ball.
Once the ball has been played through the gate, the receiving player dribbles to a new gate and their partner positions themself to receive the ball on the opposite side.
Keep repeating for a set amount time or until a target number of gates have been completed.
Coaching Points
- Be aware of the space around you. Scan and move.
- Accurate passing.
- Be ready to receive the ball.
Progressions
- Reduce the amount of touches one player can use before sending the ball
- Widen the playing area to increase stamina or reduce the size to focus on closer control of the ball and avoiding other players.
- Narrow the gap between the cones to make the gates smaller.
- Call out a specific color – players must then only use that color gate. Or for a further progression NOT use that color gate.
- Work in 3’s. Two players on one side of the gate. The single player makes two passes and alternates before moving to the next gate.
- Have defenders dotted around random gates trying to protect the ball from passing through the gate.
- Alternate the foot used to pass or call out left or right and the players must only use that foot until the next call.
- Have the player without the ball choose the next gate.
To give this drill a competitive edge, set the players a challenge of completing all gates first. If a ball hits another player the pair has to start over.
Or give the players a set amount of time to complete as many gates as possible. If playing this version, set a rule that players cannot return to a gate until they have completed all other gates.
This prevents a pair from just using two gates which are close to each other!
Rondos are a great next progression for developing passing and awareness once you have mastered this less intense type of drill.
